CIS-51306 Intercultural Communication

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

It is recommended that students have followed at least one of the introductory courses of Communication Science.

Contents:

This course offers a survey of theories and issues related to communication across cultural borders. Intercultural communication is the circumstance in which people from diverse cultural backgrounds are engaged in communication. This can be through interpersonal contacts, speech and non-verbal communication, through international organisations, business contacts, change interventions, audiovisual mass media and all kinds of written texts. Besides the focus on the study of intercultural communication as a process, the consequences of intercultural communication, such as changing identities and cultural globalisation/localisation, are also analysed. General topics that will be covered are paradigm shifts in thinking about culture and communication; cultural globalisation and cultural localization and the central role of symbols in intercultural communication. The course will create a platform to explore areas of interest such as: changing identities; religions; gender issues; social and family issues; the existence of different worldviews; the role of the mass media; individualism vs. collectivism; the role of language; time and space across cultures; the role of culture in international development; multicultural health care.

Aims:

- to develop an understanding of the embedding of communication in culture;
- to gain insights in the main theories of intercultural communication;
- to develop an analytical and critical understanding of intercultural communication;
- to be able to critically reflect upon existing processes of intercultural communication, and;
- to develop an understanding of relevant skills on how to communicate effectively and respectfully in an intercultural context.

Activities:

Literature study, lectures, discussion, paper (essay) writing and presenting, working groups, field assignment.

Examination:

Written exam, working group reports and production of a short paper (essay).

Literature:

To be announced.